‘Disaster’: Nick Kyrgios weighs in as Novak Djokovic rumour shut down

There has been serious doubt as to whether men’s world No. 1 Djokovic would travel to Australia, having refused to confirm if he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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An unnamed member of his team told Serbian newspaper Blic that they were “99 per cent” sure that he would not play in the ATP Cup, which comes ahead of the Australian Open, adding to the intrigue over whether Djokovic would be at the first grand slam of the year.

But Tennis Australia told AFP the Serbian had yet to pull out of the teams event, which is due to start on Saturday in Sydney, with Djokovic drawn to play Norway’s Casper Ruud on the opening day.

“We haven’t heard of any withdrawals from Team Serbia for the ATP Cup,” a spokesperson said.

Tennis Australia has organised charter flights to bring international stars into Melbourne and Sydney, with the first arriving Tuesday.

Defending women’s Australian Open champion Osaka was among those to touch down, but Djokovic was not on board, TA said. Players can also opt to fly commercial.

Nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic could win a record 21st Grand Slam title if he plays at Melbourne Park, but to enter Australia he and members of his entourage have to be vaccinated.

The 34-year-old has previously expressed his opposition to the vaccine and his father Srdjan said in late November that Djokovic would probably not play the Australian Open, accusing the organisers of “blackmail”.

Roger Federer will miss the Australian Open with injury and Rafael Nadal is in doubt after testing positive to Covid-19. If Djokovic also skips the major, Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios said it would be a “disaster”.

“I hope he’s had a good Christmas and I hope he’s able to play in the sport for as long as possible, because I’ve voiced before I think Federer, Nadal and Djokovic need to be (playing),” Kyrgios told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.

“If all three aren’t there, it’s a disaster. It’s an absolute disaster for the fans and the people that enjoy tennis.

“Yes, it’s obviously a good opportunity for some of the younger guys to come through and make an impact but, as a whole, we do need them to be part of the sport.”

The ATP Cup has already been hit by several players testing positive for Covid, including Russian world No. 5 Andrey Rublev and Canada’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov, in addition to Nadal, who was due to play a warm-up event in Melbourne next week. They all played in an Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament this month.

Three female players at the same event also tested positive — Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic, US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ons Jabeur.

Tennis Australia has organised the charter flights to help minimise the risk of getting the virus on the trip over, with all passengers having to provide proof of a negative test in the 72 hours before flying.

The Australian Open is due to start on January 17.

Originally published as ‘Disaster’: Nick Kyrgios weighs in as Novak Djokovic rumour shut down